Note: The People Over Parking Act was made possible by the volunteers
of Abundant Housing
Illinois. Please consider joining as a member if you are interested
in organizing for more land use reform in Illinois.
What Are Parking Mandates?
Parking mandates, also known as parking minimums, are zoning
regulations that require developers to build a minimum number of parking
spaces with new housing and commercial developments. These mandates
typically specify a certain number of parking spaces per unit of
housing, square footage of retail space, or other metrics depending on
the development type.
Why Parking Mandates Are Costly:
- Increased Housing Costs: Each parking space can
cost $30,000-$75,000 to build, significantly raising the cost of housing
development and ultimately housing prices.
- Reduced Housing Supply: Land used for parking
cannot be used for additional housing units, limiting the overall
housing supply.
- Environmental Impact: Excessive parking encourages
car dependency, increasing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
- Inefficient Land Use: Parking lots create “dead
spaces” in urban areas that could otherwise be used for housing,
businesses, or public spaces.
- Economic Burden: Many parking spaces sit empty much
of the time, representing wasted resources and opportunity costs.
Why Parking Mandates Should Be Repealed:
- Market-Based Solutions: Developers can better
determine the appropriate amount of parking based on actual demand
rather than arbitrary requirements.
- Transit-Oriented Development: Eliminating parking
mandates near transit encourages development that leverages existing
public transportation infrastructure.
- Affordability: Reducing or eliminating parking
requirements can make housing more affordable and accessible.
- Sustainability: Less parking promotes walking,
cycling, and public transit use, reducing carbon emissions.
- Vibrant Communities: Space previously dedicated to
parking can be repurposed for housing, businesses, and community
amenities.
Enter: The People Over Parking Act